2009 pontiac g8 gxp

 Like Teddy Roosevelt, or the sublime M3, the 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP walks softly and carries a big stick. Pontiac estimates the LS3-powered G8  GXP will scoot from standstill to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds, 0.6 second quicker than the G8 GT (which was 0.2 second quicker than the Dodge Charger R/T, as tested in our April issue). We have to bench-race the GXP for now. A 4.7-second 0-to-60-mph time would trump the Charger SRT8's 5.0 flat.
How will Pontiac do it with a larger, heavier sedan? With precious little modification to the C6's 436-horsepower, 428-pound-foot LS3. There are a different water pump and exhaust manifold, and a slightly modified intake, mostly for packaging. "The Corvette is optimized for airflow," Shipman says. "This car isn't quite as optimized." As in the Corvette, the LS3 trumps the 6.0-liter LS2 with high-flow L92-style cylinder heads, unique camshaft and camshaft timing, a tweaked valvetrain with offset intake rocker arms, high-flow intake and fuel injectors. The extra 12 cubic inches is the result of a bigger bore, with larger-diameter cylinder heads and pistons for high-rpm performance.

2009 pontiac g8 gxp

 2009 pontiac g8 gxp

 2009 pontiac g8 gxp

2009 pontiac g8 gxp